Waste collection device

ABSTRACT

An improved portable waste collection device for pets that is easier to use to collect and dispose of animal waste.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/693,799, filed Aug. 28, 2012, which is hereby incorporated hereby by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to pet accessories, and in particular, to portable devices for collecting pet waste.

BACKGROUND

A common problem for pet owners and other animal caretakers is collecting pet waste (e.g., feces) deposited on the ground by their dogs or other animals. Conventional devices often referred to as “pooper scoopers” are typically used in a variety of home and commercial settings to collect the waste from the ground. Typical settings where pooper scoopers are used for collecting animal waste include residential yards and streets, as well as public parks, dog parks, doggie daycare, kennels, veterinarians, breeders, zoos, stables, and barns.

Many conventional pooper scoopers include a long-handled pan and a long-handled scrapper for sliding the waste into the pan. But these devices require two hands to operate. And for these and other conventional pooper scoopers, the pan must be cleaned out after emptying it to remove the residual waste adhering to it.

Accordingly, it can be seen that needs exist for improved animal waste collection devices that are easier to use. It is to the provision of solutions to this and other problems that the present invention is primarily directed.

SUMMARY

Generally described, the present invention relates to an improved portable waste collection device for pets that is easier to use to collect and dispose of animal waste. The specific techniques and structures employed to improve over the drawbacks of the prior devices and methods and accomplish the advantages described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description of example embodiments and the appended drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-18 are various views showing the construction and use of a portable waste collection device according to an example embodiment of the prevent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a device for collecting waste into a disposal bag using only one hand. The collection device can be adapted for use in collecting a range of different types of waste, including animal feces as well as trash, dirt, and other debris. As such, the collection device can be used in a variety of settings, including residential yards and streets, as well as public parks, dog parks, doggie daycare, kennels, veterinarians, breeders, zoos, stables, barns, and the like.

FIGS. 1-18 show an animal-waste collection device 10 according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The collection device 10 includes a handle 12, a plurality of pivotal collection fingers 14, a stem 16 extending between the handle and the collection fingers, and an actuating mechanism 18 that operates to pivot the collection fingers. In addition, certain aspects of the handle 12 and the stem 16 cooperatively define an integral disposal-bag system for using the device with disposal bags 20. These major components of the device 10 can all be made of conventional materials (e.g., plastic or metal) using conventional fabrication techniques and equipment (e.g., molding or casting).

The handle 12 is sized and shaped to be ergonomically held and comfortably gripped in one hand while carrying the device 10 and operating the actuating mechanism 18. And the stem 16 is provided by an elongate member that extends from the handle 12. The stem 16 has a proximal portion 22 that extends from the handle 12 and a distal portion 24 to which the collection fingers 14 are mounted. In some embodiments, the handle 12 and the stem 16 are integrally formed as one part, and in some embodiments the handle is formed by a portion of the stem.

In the depicted embodiment, the disposal-bag system is formed by innovative features of the handle 12 and the stem 16. In particular, the handle 12 has an internal cavity 26 for holding a plurality of the disposal bags 20 and the stem 16 has a bore 28 for extending the bags therethrough into position for use (see FIGS. 6 and 9). For example, the handle 12 can have a generally cylindrical outer surface for ease of gripping and have an inner surface defining the internal cavity in a generally cylindrical shape for storing a conventional roll of plastic disposal bags 20. The handle 12 has an opening formed in it and the proximal portion 20 of the stem 16 extends from the handle at the opening so that the handle internal cavity 26 is in communication with the stem bore 28. Thus, the generally cylindrical handle 12 can be generally horizontally positioned with the stem 16 extending downward from its curved wall. In this way, the roll of bags 20 can be stored in the handle internal cavity 26, fed down through the stem bore 28, and pulled out of the stem bore and wrapped around the collection fingers 14 for use. So the device 10 can be operated with one hand (actually, with two fingers) to pick up waste in the bags (so the collection fingers 14 do not accumulate residual waste that needs to be cleaned off). In other embodiments, the handle has another regular or irregular shape for storing bags, regardless of whether the bags are in a roll. And in still other embodiments, the internal cavity and the bore are formed by other components of the device and attached to the handle and the stem.

Typically, the handle 12 encloses the internal cavity 22 and is openable to insert a fresh roll of bags 20. For example, the handle 12 can be of a clamshell type with top and bottom shells hingedly coupled together and with a releasable closure such as a magnet, latch, or snap-fit coupling (see FIGS. 6 and 9). In other embodiments, the handle has an open end or other portion for inserting fresh bags.

In addition, a bag separator 30 is positioned at the distal portion 24 of the stem 16 (see FIGS. 2 and 5-6). The bag separator 30 is an abutment or catch for separating each bag 20 from the roll at the perforated seam between bags. The bag separator 30 is typically provided by a protrusion (e.g., a tab, finger, arm, boss, or the like, with a rounded, smooth end) extending from the stem 16 (e.g., laterally outward). The bag separator 30 can be integrally formed as a part of the stem 16 or it can be a separate piece that is mounted to the stem (e.g., the protrusion can extend from a threaded nut that screws onto mating threads on the distal portion 24 of the stem 16).

Furthermore, the proximal 22 portion of the stem 16 can be funnel-shaped to facilitate routing the first bag 20 in the roll into the stem bore 28. For example, in the depicted embodiment the proximal 22 portion of the stem 16 is has a circular bottom cross-section and an oblong top cross-section, and the distal portion 24 of the stem is a segment of a tube 32 that is attached to the proximal portion (e.g., by mating threads) (see FIG. 6).

The collection fingers 14 are rods, bars, or other elongated members that are arranged generally vertically to define a periphery of a collection space. In the depicted embodiment, for example, the collection fingers 14 are symmetrically arranged along a circle that is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the stem 16. The collection fingers 14 each have a proximal portion 34 for pivotal attachment and a distal free portion 36. The collection fingers 14 move between a closed position (see FIGS. 1-2) in which the free portions 36 are pivoted inwardly and adjacent each other, and an open position (see FIGS. 3-5) in which they are pivoted outwardly and spaced apart from each other. In the depicted embodiment, the distal free portions 36 are curved and have the form of scoops or blades to allow for a less aggressive termination point, as the collection space they define is where the pet waste is collected. In addition, the distal free portions 36 having this spoon-like shape helps them hold the bags 20 on them, as described below (see FIGS. 11-13). The proximal portions 34 of the collection fingers 14 are mounted at the distal portion 24 of the stem 16. In the depicted embodiment, the proximal portions 34 are pivotally coupled at pivot points 37 to a fixed collar 38 on the stem 16. The fixed collar 38 can be fixedly mounted to stem 16 or be provided as an integral portion of it. And the collection fingers 14 can be pivotally mounted to the fixed collar 38 for example by pivot pins or snap-fit couplings. In other embodiments, the collection fingers are mounted directly to the stem.

The actuating mechanism 18 is operable to pivot the collection fingers 14 between the closed position (see FIGS. 1-2) and the open position (see FIGS. 3-5). The actuating mechanism 18 includes an actuator 40, a spring element 42, a slide mount 44, and a plurality of control arms 46 (see FIGS. 1 and 6).

The actuator 40 is slidably mounted to the stem 16 for sliding between a normal position (see FIGS. 1-2) and an actuated position (see FIGS. 3-4). The normal position corresponds to the closed position of the collection fingers 14 and the actuated position corresponds to the open position. In the depicted embodiment, the actuator 40 is in the form of a disc or plate with a central bore through which the stem 16 is slidingly received. In other embodiments, the actuator is in the form of a trigger or button that slides relative to the stem to energize the spring.

The spring element 42 biases the actuator 40 toward the normal position. In the depicted embodiment, when the actuator 40 is in the normal position the collection fingers 14 are in the closed position (i.e., the actuator is actuated to open the collection fingers). In other embodiments, when the actuator is in the normal position the collection fingers are in the open position (i.e., the actuator is actuated to close the collection fingers). In the depicted embodiment, the spring element 42 is a compression spring sandwiched between the actuator 40 and the proximal portion 22 of the stem 16. In other embodiments, the spring element is provided by a tension spring, a torsion spring, a resilient elastomeric or rubber member, or the like.

The slide mount 44 is slidably mounted to the stem 16, moves with the actuator 40, and has the control arms 46 pivotally mounted to it. The slide mount 44 can be an integral portion of the actuator 40 or it can be a separate element that is coupled to the actuator for co-movement. In the depicted embodiment, the slide mount 44 is in the form of a collar, disc, or plate with a central bore through which the stem 16 is slidingly received (e.g., having the same dimensions as the fixed collar 38 and connected to the actuator by connecting rods 48). In other embodiments, the slide mount is in the form of a block or framework that moves with the actuator and to which the control arms are pivotally mounted.

The control arms 46 extend between and couple together the slide mount 44 and the collection fingers 14. The control arms 46 each have a proximal portion 50 that is pivotally mounted to the slide mount 44 by a pivot pin, snap-fit coupling, or the like. And the control arms 46 each have a distal portion 52 that is rotationally mounted to the collection fingers 14 by a rotary pin or the like. The distal portions 52 of the control arms 46 are rotationally mounted to the collection fingers 14 at rotary points 54 of the collection-finger proximal portions 34. The rotary points 54 are each spaced apart and laterally offset from the respective pivot point 37 (where the respective collection finger 14 is pivotally mounted to the fixed collar 38) so that the knuckle-shaped proximal portion 34 of the collection finger forms a moment arm.

In this way, when an upward axial force is applied to the actuator 40 to slide it away from the collar 38, the force is transferred via the slide mount 44 and the control arms 46 to the laterally offset rotary points 54, which upward axial force causes the collection fingers 14 to pivot about the pivot points 37 to the open position. At the same time, this upward axial movement of the actuator 40 charges the spring 42. So when the force is removed from the actuator 40, the energized spring 42 discharges to force the actuator back toward the collar 38, which force is transferred via the slide mount 44 and the control arms 46 to the laterally offset rotary points 54, which downward axial force causes the collection fingers 14 to pivot about the pivot points 37 to the closed position. As such, the device 10 is a compact, self-contained, all-in-one, bag-dispensing, two-finger-operated, spring-actuated waste-collection device.

Having described details of the structure of the collection device 10, its use will now be detailed with respect to FIGS. 9-17. First, the handle 12 is opened and a roll of bags 20 is inserted unto the internal cavity 26 (see FIG. 9). The first bag 20 in the roll is unrolled (but not detached from the roll) and fed through the stem bore 28 until it protrudes from the distal portion 24 of the stem 16, a user grasps and pulls the bag downward until its distal/open portion 60 extends past the distal portions 36 of the collection fingers 14, and the handle 14 is closed (see FIG. 10). The bag 20 can be more easily fed through the stem bore 28 for example by first twisting it into a tight spiral. Then the distal/open portion 60 of the bag 20 is opened and folded back over the distal portions 36 of the collection fingers 14 into position for use (see FIGS. 11-12). Now the device 10 is loaded and ready for use to collect waste 2, with the collection fingers 14 hygienically protected from contamination from the waste.

To collect waste 2 with the device 10, the actuator 40 is actuated from the normal to the actuated position to pivot the collection fingers 14 from the closed to the open position (see FIG. 13, in which the motion is indicated by the directional arrows). This can be easily done with one hand, for example, with the handle 12 in the palm and the middle and ring fingers on the underside of the actuator 40. In this position, the distal portions 36 of the collection fingers 14 are pivoted away from each other so that the bag 20 is opened wide enough to receive the waste 2. Then the device 10 is positioned over the waste 2 (see FIG. 14) and lowered. Next the actuator 40 is released to allow it to return to the normal position, under the influence of the discharging spring 42, which in turn pivots the collection fingers 14 back to the closed position (see FIG. 15, in which the motion is indicated by the directional arrows). As the collection fingers 14 pivot inwards, they scoop up the waste 2 into the bag 20. Then the distal/open portion 60 of the bag 20 is unfolded from the distal portion 36 of the collection fingers 14 and closed (e.g., by tying it or attaching a twisty tie), and the bag 20 is pulled laterally so that the proximal portion 62 of the bag engages the bag separator 28 (see FIG. 16). The bag 20 is gently pulled laterally until the force causes the perforated seam (between the proximal portion of the first bag and the distal portion of the second bag) to tear or otherwise fail, the bag with the waste 2 is disposed of, and the next bag is advanced for use (see FIG. 17). The process is then repeated as desired for the collection of additional waste 2.

In addition, some embodiments include a convenient storage container for packaging and carrying the device 10. And some embodiments include a stick with an alligator type clip attached on the end of the stick (see FIG. 18) to clip to the end of the bags to pass the stick through the bag feed tube to assist in pulling the first bag through.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions, or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only. Thus, the terminology is intended to be broadly construed and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. For example, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “one” include the plural, the term “or” means “and/or,” and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, any methods described herein are not intended to be limited to the sequence of steps described but can be carried out in other sequences, unless expressly stated otherwise herein.

While the invention has been shown and described in exemplary forms, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, additions, and deletions can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for collecting waste, comprising: a handle including an internal cavity for storing a plurality of disposal bags; a stem extending from the handle and including a bore for receiving the bags; a plurality of pivotal collection fingers that are pivotally moveable relative to the stem; and an actuating mechanism that operates to pivot the collection fingers between closed and open positions, the actuating mechanism including an actuator that slides relative to the stem, a spring that biases the actuator toward a normal position from an actuated position, and a plurality of connecting arms that translate upward when the actuator is actuated and that are rotationally mounted to knuckles of the collection fingers to form moment arms, wherein moving the actuator to the actuated position transfers the translatory upward force to the moment arms to pivot the collection fingers from the closed position to the open position to collect the waste, wherein releasing the actuator permits the spring to discharge and transfer an opposite translatory downward force to the moment arms to pivot the collection fingers from the open position to the closed position, and wherein the first bag in the roll can be fed through the stem bore, out of the stem, and beyond the collection fingers where it can be folded over for use to collect the waste into the bag and then removed to dispose of the bag holding the waste. 